We also need to be willing to make the calls as some of our neighbors have and write the letters and even run for office or work for those we believe in to make a difference.

Will you go on March 10th to the Mayors Summit at the Comfort Inn?

March 4, 2009

Dear Arthur and friends,

It was a decent article by the "New York Times".  However, on March 3, National Public Radio did their own interesting piece on why the Rhode Island economy is performing a drop.

One interesting laid off brass worker, a 54 year old man, said  "In the jewelry industry one could go from job to job and always get a better offer.  One could go to high school or quit... It did not matter, one was always going to get factory work."

However, with the brass factory closing last October, the man has been out of work.  The reporter asked what the man will do for a job.  The interviewee hesitated for a long time.

"I'm too old to get an education," he said.  "Maybe I will have to try to be a plumber."

After listening to the radio piece, I realized that most of my friends, now in their early 50's, quit school and went for factory work.  Many friends have been laid off numerous times in recent years.

Fortunately, I am loved by a Mom who kept me deliberately ignorant.  I did not know until I was 16 that quitting school was an option.  The only reason why I found out as a Tolman student occurred when 20 percent of my gym class did not show up one day.

"What happened to Carter and the other kids," I asked my classmate.

"Oh, they all quit school," he said.

"You can really do that?" I asked naively.

Forget about gym that day, I accidentally became the day's comedian.   

I think most of the politicians still think quitting at 16 is the way..

Paiva Weed was quoted on the problems was we were having a hard time switching...but how many years have they even tried to switch industries...

Schools and teachers do not get it...jusrt pass them on to the big black hole

It is a full team press and we need to make a challenge to young and old to make a difference. It is our city and state and we can and should make sure the officials are held accountable if you think they have errred